Opinion
Betty Schaffer: Letter writer adds to verbal ‘meltdown’
Letter writer adds to verbal ‘meltdown’ There is a saying that if you point a finger at someone there are three fingers pointing back at yourself. If you read the letter writer’s comments (“Screeching meltdowns on opinion page,” June 21) about what he...
Carl Erickson: Thanks Kathy Griffin for aiding Karen Handel win
Thanks Griffin for aiding Handel win in Georgia Thank you Kathy Griffin for helping Karen Handel win the special congressional election in Georgia’s 6th district Tuesday. The left must love her blowing their $30 million. There is still hope when a...
Rosemary Graf: Contact officials about Senate health care bill
Contact officials about Senate health care bill On Thursday, the Senate Republicans unveiled their Obamacare repeal plan. Unsurprisingly, it’s just as cruel as the irresponsible bill the House passed in May.Here’s what we know so far about this bill:...
Daniel Sullivan: Legislature should do what voters want
Legislature should do what voters want After reading your June 20 edition, I cannot believe this state’s lawmakers on the pot laws “Lawmakers eye consensus on pot bill, but differences remain”).Why don’t they just follow another state’s laws that have...
Editorial: Welcome recreation projects in Amherst and Sunderland
Amherst and Sunderland have made commendable commitments to improve recreational opportunities in those communities.A partnership between a neighborhood group and the town resulted in reviving Markert’s Pond, which is part of the 5-acre Pondview...
Johanna Halbeisen: Backs statewide ban on Native American mascots
Backs statewide ban on Native American mascots Thank you, Amalia Fourhawks, for your clear response (“Native American mascot ban needed,” June 16) to the Gazette editorial (“Keep mascot decisions in local hands,” June 15) about a state ban on Native...
Jeanne Stolarski and Diann Tolpa: Women’s Club of Hadley thanks supporters
Women’s Club of Hadley thanks supporters The Lady Bugs Women’s Club of Hadley would like to thank our sponsors and supporters for making our spring pocketbook and scarf sale April 29 such a success. The proceeds will benefit various programs offered...
Jeffrey Jones: NHA board chairman responds to tenant issues
NHA board chairmanresponds to tenant issues I am writing to respond to some of the points made in the article on Hampshire Heights (“Tenants irked by NHA crackdown on outside items, gardens,” June 20).To start, the Northampton Housing Authority...
Evelyn Billings: NEPR donations would end need for underwriters
NEPR donations would end underwriting The letter titled “Cites advertising on public radio” published June 14 calls for a response.The underwriters, who are mentioned on the air, pay a substantial amount of money to support our NPR affiliate, New...
Editorial: State widens drug education in middle schools
As communities confront the opioid epidemic in their homes, on the streets and in treatment centers, a new program aims to widen the prevention effort to middle schools through a public-private partnership.Attorney General Maura Healey this month...
Amalia Correia: Must support high-quality early education
Must support high-quality early education Education is argued to be the great equalizer. It is often framed as the solution to escape disadvantaged situations.As the Massachusetts House and Senate work out the final budget to send to Gov. Charlie...
Yaakov Eitan Svenson: Asks PVTA to communicate with students
Asks PVTA to communicate with students On June 10, my friend and I walked to the Smith College bus stop to board the B43. While there, we noticed a flier informing riders that the PVTA was considering reducing service on the 39 and M40 routes (“PVTA...
Editorial: Multiple efforts needed to battle drugs
A jury sent an important message last month when it convicted Jesse Carrillo of involuntary manslaughter after the heroin he supplied to fellow University of Massachusetts student Eric Sinacori led to the 20-year-old’s death by overdose in...
Editorial: Decisions about Native American mascots should remain local
A statewide bill that would ban the use of Native American mascots in public schools is generating strong opinions on both sides of the issue. That’s no surprise, based on the lengthy debate by the Gill-Montague School Committee before it got rid of...
Alberto Nasir Archeval and Johnathan Holmes: Seeks support for run/walk aiding veterans
Seeks support for event aiding veterans We are writing because we want people to notice how our government doesn’t support our veterans.Veterans can have PTSD and some of them are homeless. Some of them have medical issues and are suicidal. Almost...
Editorial: High school graduates urged to embrace diversity, practice compassion
High school graduations are bittersweet times of looking back at accomplishments reached and friendships made, while considering the uncertainties of the journey ahead, whether the chosen path is school, the military or employment.They are also a time...
Columnist Jay Fleitman: James Comey brouhaha ridiculous
By JAY FLEITMAN
The breathlessly anticipated testimony of former FBI director James Comey came and went last week.He confirmed that President Donald Trump was never under any investigation, but he felt the need to call Trump a liar because of the president’s...
Editorial: Monday mix on Easthampton K-9; Northampton kennel; North Amherst port-a-potty
Kudos to the Easthampton Police Department for its addition of Gino, a 17-month-old Belgian Malinois, and to Officer Andrew Beaulieu for rearranging his life to handle the department’s latest crime-stopper.The new K-9 unit paid off quickly when Gino,...
Kerry Driscoll: Congress should curb Trump’s trips to Mar-a-Lago
Congress should curb Trump’s Mar-a-Lago trips In 2015, Donald Trump said he would “rarely leave the White House because there’s so much work to be done.” Now, he is golfing and visiting a Trump-branded property every few days.I’m deeply concerned...
Rufus Chaffee: Cites integrity of Northampton community
Cites integrity of Northampton community Hat’s off to the integrity of the Northampton community. I recently lost my wallet downtown, apparently beside my car in a parking space.Anxiety roared and I searched in several locations to no avail. Starting...
